After a government-spawned "superflu" wipes out more than 99 percent of the earth's population, the devastated survivors must decide whether to support or resist the advances of a mysterious stranger from way down South (heh-heh) who wishes to claim this new world order for himself. Although the six-hour length makes it nigh-impossible to digest in one sitting, this well-paced adaptation of Stephen King's apocalyptic magnum opus ranks among the best adaptations of the author's work, with strong performances from Gary Sinise, Miguel Ferrer, and especially Jamey Sheridan as a good-old-boy version of Old Scratch.
The opening scene, set to the strains of Blue Oyster Cult's "Don't Fear the Reaper," is one of the most chilling things ever shot for television. Director Mick Garris is no stranger to King's world, having also helmed Sleepwalkers, the recent television remake of The Shining, and the upcoming Desperation.
Directed by: Mick Garris Written by: Stephen King Produced by: Mitchell Galin, Michael Gornick, Stephen King, Peter R. McIntosh, Richard P. Rubinstein Original music by: W.G. Snuffy Walden
Cast: Gary Sinise .... Stu Redman Molly Ringwald .... Frannie Goldsmith Jamey Sheridan .... Randall Flagg Laura San Giacomo .... Nadine Cross Ruby Dee .... Mother Abigail Ossie Davis .... Judge Farris Miguel Ferrer .... Lloyd Henreid Corin Nemec .... Harold Lauder Matt Frewer .... Trashcan Man Adam Storke .... Larry Underwood Ray Walston .... Glen Bateman Rob Lowe .... Nick Andros Bill Fagerbakke .... Tom Cullen Peter Van Norden .... Ralph Brentner Rick Aviles .... Rat Man Max Wright .... Herbert Denninger Ray McKinnon .... Charlie Campion Bridgit Ryan .... Lucy Swann Kellie Overbey .... Dayna Jurgens Patrick Kilpatrick .... Ray Booth Shawnee Smith .... Julie Lawry Stephen King .... Teddy Weizak Kareem Abdul-Jabbar .... The Monster Shouter Chuck Adamson .... Barry Dorgan Tony Adler .... Dying Janitor Sam Anderson .... Whitney Horgan Steven Anderson .... Army Officer Kathy Bates .... Rae Flowers (uncredited) Jesse Bennett .... Vic Palfrey Johnny Biscuit .... Norm Bruett John I. Bloom .... Joe-Bob Brentwood J. Scott Bronson .... Man in Convoy Ervin Butler .... B-Ball Boy Hope Marie Carlton .... Sally Campion David Kirk Chambers .... Brad Kitchner Laura Conover .... Nurse Bill Corso .... Corpse in Lincoln Tunnel Kevin Doyle .... Sarge Troy Evans .... Sheriff Baker John Dunbar .... Dave Roberts Warren Frost .... George Richardson Cynthia Garris .... Susan Stern Mick Garris .... Henry Dunbarton Jeff Gelb .... NY Radio Announcer Leo Geter .... Chad Norris Sandy Gimpel .... Woman in Store Alan Gregory .... Al Bundell Mary Ethel Gregory .... Alice Underwood Ed Harris .... General Starkey (uncredited) Thomasyn Harlow .... Cynthia Jim Haynie .... Deputy Kingsolving Ryan Healy .... 4th Teenager Tom Holland .... Carl Hough Sherman Howard .... Dietz Ken Jenkins .... Peter Goldsmith David Jensen .... Major Jalbert Richard Jewkes .... Dick Ellis Kevin Kennedy .... Dave Zellman Michelle King .... Reporter Robert Knott .... Lou Carsleigh John Landis .... Russ Dorr Brittney Lewis .... Arlene Richard Lineback .... Poke Mike Lookinland .... Sentry No. 1 Elizabeth Lough .... Young Woman Jordan Lund .... Bill Hapscomb Bruce MacVittie .... Ace-High Frank Magner .... Vince Hogan Dan Martin .... Rich Moffat Patrick McKinley .... Flu Buddy Man William Newman .... Dr. Soames Wendy Phillips .... Lisa Hull Sam Raimi .... Terry Bobby Vince Rodriguez .... Lisa's Driver Sarah Schaub .... Gina McCone Tressa Sharbough .... Marcy Halloran Julie Simper .... Lila Bruett Taylor Smith .... Baby Lavon David Sosna .... Some Man Billy L. Sullivan .... Joe George Sullivan .... Sargent Millie Teri .... Weeping Woman Michael D. Weatherred .... Mike Childress Rob Weller .... Game Show Host Mike Westenskow .... Paul Burlson Derryl Yeager .... Man in Street Brayton Yerkes .... Old Man in Store Dennis W. Zerull .... Masked Soldier (uncredited)
